Migrating to Microsoft GCC High is a critical step for contractors working with the Department of Defense (DoD) or handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). While the benefits are clear—improved compliance, data sovereignty, and contract eligibility—the path to GCC High isn’t always smooth. Missteps during migration can lead to lost data, unexpected downtime, and failed audits.
Here are the most common pitfalls organizations face during a GCC High migration—and how to avoid them.
1. Waiting Too Long to Start
Many organizations delay migration until they’re up against a compliance deadline or contract requirement.
Why it's a problem:
Microsoft tenant provisioning takes time
Licenses must be validated and approved
Migrations require planning, testing, and staged rollouts
Starting early and working with a provider of GCC High migration services ensures you stay ahead of contract requirements—not scrambling to meet them.
2. Assuming It’s Just a “Lift and Shift”
GCC High isn’t a simple clone of your Microsoft 365 Commercial environment. It comes with:
Different feature availability
Limited third-party app integration
Required reconfiguration of security, identity, and access controls
Solution: Perform a detailed gap analysis between your current setup and GCC High capabilities.
3. Migrating Incomplete or Unclean Data
Dragging along legacy data without governance creates clutter and risk. Worse, you may move over files containing CUI without proper labeling or policy enforcement.
Fix it:
Clean up inactive user accounts and redundant content
Classify and label data before migration
Apply retention and deletion policies strategically
4. Overlooking Identity and Access Strategy
Your Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) configuration will likely need to be rebuilt in GCC High.
Don’t forget to:
Recreate group policies and Conditional Access
Enforce MFA organization-wide
Align identity strategy with Zero Trust principles
5. Failing to Train End Users
Users entering a new environment will face changes—especially in app access, permissions, and shared content.
Tip:
Provide onboarding resources and live training
Communicate what’s changing and why
Offer post-migration support to reduce help desk tickets
Conclusion:
A GCC High migration is a strategic investment—but it’s not without complexity. Avoiding these common mistakes can mean the difference between a smooth transition and a costly setback. With the right planning, communication, and expert support, your organization can make the move to a secure, compliant cloud with confidence.